The costs on each route
| Route | Cost | Right when… |
|---|---|---|
| DIY via HMRC online | Free | Simple affairs, comfortable with the forms |
| Our fixed fee (standard SA100) | £199 + VAT | Directors, dividends, landlords, first-timers |
| Complex return (quoted first) | From £199 + VAT | Foreign income, capital gains, messy records |
| Doing nothing | £100 → £1,600+ | Never — penalties accrue even with no tax due |
The real cost of missing 31 January
The “doing nothing” row is worth spelling out, because HMRC’s late-filing penalties apply even if you owe no tax:
- 1 day late — an automatic £100 penalty.
- 3 months late — £10 a day for up to 90 days (up to £900 on top).
- 6 months late — a further £300 (or 5% of the tax due, if higher).
- 12 months late — another £300 (or 5%), and more in serious cases.
Left unaddressed, that reaches £1,600+ — before any late-payment penalties and interest on the tax itself. Set against that, a fixed fee to have it done on time is cheap insurance.
What the fee actually buys
- Every income source in the right box — salary, dividends, interest, rent, with the paperwork to back it
- Claims you might not know about — allowable expenses, pension relief for higher-rate taxpayers, marriage allowance, gift aid
- Your bill (or refund) confirmed before filing, with payment dates and payments on account explained
- Filed online with HMRC and the submission receipt sent to you
For directors we prepare the return from the company’s own records — salary and dividends always match what the company reported, which is exactly what HMRC’s systems check.
Already late? The maths favours speed
The £100 penalty is sunk — but £10/day starts three months after the deadline, and the 6-month penalty is the higher of £300 or 5% of the tax due. Records to us this week beats records to us next month, every time. Call 0114 327 1480.